In 1973, a military officer forcibly cuts a young man's hair in the street. Park created the Minor Offences Act to legalize the abuse of power. Park helped industrialize South Korea and ensured that democracy could not take hold. The full spectrum of democratic characteristics would not be known in South Korea until this decade. Korea Times file

By Amanda PriceRecently, I read an article by a distinguished statesman who offered his insight into the feud between Japan and South Korea.Of course, it was the opinion of an "outsider," or rather a guest, but nonetheless his expertise, his love for the Korean people, and his understanding of Korea's cultural history gave weight to the article.To my reading, his opinions were expressed in an intelligent and thoughtful manner. If an article can be referred to as 'kind-hearted', then his article, at least in my opinion, was exactly that.My opinion was not that of the majority. Ensuing articles responded to the original, and it was clear that many South Koreans, or at least the writers of the articles, did not appreciate being compared to the Japanese, even if that comparison was not unfavorable. To me, the responses, some written by highly respected journalists, revealed qualities that I found very surprising (although not in a condescending way).Reading the responding articles, with their passion and energy, their indignation and fierce love of independence, I found myself wondering where I had seen these qualities before.After reflection, I realized that this abundance of overflowing emphasises, this repulsion at comparison, and this fierce desire to be treated with respect were qualities more often identified with youth than old age.Of course, Korea is not a young nation. Its complex past stretches back to the first millennium, and even further to times when myth and history were intertwined. Among the tribe of nations that inhabit this earth, Korea is an elder, deserving the respect earned through centuries of survival and endurance. The nation that we know as South Korea, however, and more importantly, present day South Korea is by contrast, young … perhaps younger than many realize.As a country, South Korea has existed for only 71 years. It has lived fewer years than the average span of a human lifetime and in its present form is still in its youth. Let us consider its life's journey.At the end of the Korean War, only 64 years ago, South Korea was one of the world's poorest, most disadvantaged nations. The newly demarcated South Korea, emerged from the Korean War devastated and scarred beyond recognition. As the war closed, there was no V-day, no parties in the street, no church bells ― only a nation uncertain of what the future would be.As many nations found shades of their national identity in victory, South Korea was neither victor nor vanquished. The war had largely been won through the intervention of a united coalition of nations led by the United States.Despite the clear determination and fortitude of its citizens, the fledgling nation had first to survive the aftermath of the war, and this it could not do on its own. Humanitarian, military, medical and economic aid were desperately and urgently needed if South Korea was to move forward. And so aid came, and at unprecedented levels. From the end of World War II until 1978, South Korea would be the recipient of one of the most consistent, all-embracing and substantial aid packages that any country had received. As billions and billions of American dollars poured into South Korea, it became apparent that South Korea's situation as an aid recipient was unique among developing countries.In almost all other cases, aid was provided by Western donors on the basis of formal agreements with recipients that clearly defined the consequences if promises were broken. In South Korea's case, no binding reciprocal demands were handed down by the United States government, whose main aim was to ensure a communist-free South. South Korean leaders were largely given liberty to use the aid in the way they thought best, a situation almost unheard of anywhere else.

Choi Soon-sil being led into court. In 2016, South Koreans were shocked to discover that the corruption and collusion that had plagued South Korea in the previous century, was still occurring. Radical and irreversible change was now demanded by a people who had lived under a series of autocratic governments since the beginning of the 20th century. Yonhap

And although there were sporadic and sometimes strong disagreements regarding how and where money was being used, aid, in its entirety, was never revoked during South Korea's industrialization.This open-handed policy created the perfect environment for nationalistic leaders who believed that nations were made from the top down. Although the formation of a democracy in the South would have been the best answer to Kim Il-sung's communist North, the United States was happy for South Korean leaders to forego democracy in pursuit of economic stability. And that is what occurred.Military leadership dominated. Coups and violence against citizens suspected of communist association or dissatisfaction with the ruling elite postmarked South Korea's journey into the late 1980s. Without the accountability required of other nations, leaders like Park Chung-hee were able to suppress democracy, silence opposition, channel large sums of money to chaebol-led industry, as well as implement economic reforms without approval, social considerations or answerability.While some have argued that Park's achievements outweigh his criminal activity, the reality is that under Park, South Korea was self-governing but not self-reliant, and more importantly, not yet a free and democratic nation. In fact, it would not be until 1993 that the first freely elected civilian president in 30 years would come to power.Kim Young-sam, like Moon Jae-in, ran on an anti-corruption platform and in his first year in office set about cleaning up the twisted network of corruption that his predecessors had left behind. Transparency and accountability were being introduced into South Korean government. Citizens, once labelled as dissidents for protesting in support of democracy, had their criminal records expunged. Corruption met with consequences, or at least the impression of them. Sadly, this promising advance on democracy was undermined by the Hanbo Scandal in which senior government officials, industry executives, and the president's son were found to be involved in a massive corruption scandal that rocked the nation.Before Kim stepped down as president, however, he was able to see South Korea admitted to the Organization of the Economic, Cooperation and Development (OECD). The year was 1996.Moving into the 21st century, South Korea, built on the determination of its citizens and the ruthless drive of questionable leaders, emerged as a nation whose identity was defined by success.But corruption still haunted her. Judicial systems were not impartial. Blacklists were common. Freedom of speech and freedom of the press were kept in check by administrations that still believed in the top down model of leadership. Although South Korea was continuing to rise among the ranks economically, it had only partially fulfilled the most essential requirements of a democracy as the first decade of the 21st century came to a close.

President Chang Myun may have increased democracy in South Korea, but he was deposed by a military coup only after only one year in the office. Park set the wheels in motion for economic success while repressing citizens and killing dissenters. Dictators believe that economic success equals power. Leaders with integrity and strength understand that economic success provides opportunities for peace. Korea Times file

But South Koreans, particularly the generations that had not seen the darkest parts of their own history, were increasingly aware that the booming economy could not protect people's rights.If anything, South Korea's massive industrialization, and its rapid rise to power, had skipped over social concerns, leaving gaping chasm between classes, as well as city dwellers and those who still worked the land. When the candlelight vigils began in 2016, the people were not only protesting against corruption, but the repressive remnants of the past. Radical change was put on the agenda.The hallmarks of a democracy ― a fair and unbiased judicial system removed from government influence, freedom of the press, freedom to protest, equality under the law, a transparent, accountable and representative government, and an understanding that the Constitution was the property of the people, were becoming essential components of Korean society.The journey that led South Korea from a vulnerable and impoverished nation to an economic powerhouse was arduous, but its fight to eradicate tyranny and replace it with democracy was even harder. Only in the past few years have South Koreans enjoyed a full range of democratic freedoms that many others would take for granted. Is South Korea in its youth as a democratic nation? I believe it is.Was it helped on the journey to where it is now? Yes, but not to its shame.Does being in its youth, or receiving help make it weaker, irrational or less capable than others? No, in fact, it is an advantage.It is an understatement of grand proportion to say it is not a crime to be young, for youth is where we consolidate values and priorities. It is a time in which change is not only permitted, it is encouraged and celebrated. It is not a time of incompleteness, but a time when the fullness of life is before us. Ultimately, it is a place through which we all must pass.If youth is despised or discredited it is only by those who have grown to be cynical. South Korea is still on its journey to discover its identity apart from success, to understand that being the best of yourself does not require being better than others. This is because success is transient, economies fail, achievements are overtaken as easily as they are attained, and independence based solely on economic superiority is no more than an illusion. Strength as a nation, even a young one, comes from deciding which hill to die upon, and which hill to fight for. In some ways, and through no fault of its own, South Korea has taken the long way around to arrive at youth and the opportunities it affords.But with the vigor and fresh insight of youth on its side, South Korea need not die on this hill nor fight to defend it. It is young and strong and has nothing to prove, not even to itself. The wars have been won, the seas have been calmed ― it is time to get on with the rest of the journey. Amanda Price (amanda-price@bigpond.com) is the former director of Hillcrest College's International Student Department. She has a background in science, history and literature and has been consulting on Asian affairs for more than 10 years. Her special interest is world history and she is the founder of Griffith University's History Readers. She writes full time.